American Queenmaker: How Missy Meloney Brought Women Into Politics

by Julie des Jardins

The first biography of Missy Meloney, the most important woman you've never heard of

Marie "Missy" Mattingly Meloney was born in 1878, in an America where women couldn't vote. Yet she recognized the power that women held as consumers and family decision-makers, and persuaded male publishers and politicians to take them seriously. Over the course of her life as a journalist, magazine editor-in-chief, and political advisor, Missy created the idea of the female demographic. After the passage of the 19th Amendment she encouraged candidates to engage with and appeal to women directly. In this role, she advised Presidents from Hoover and Coolidge to FDR. By the time she died in 1943, women were a recognized political force to be reckoned with.

In this groundbreaking biography, historian Julie Des Jardins restores Missy to her rightful place in American history.

Genres: History, Biography, Politics, Nonfiction, Feminism

384 pages, Hardcover

Published January 21, 2020

Reviews

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marie “Missy” Mattingly Meloney (1878-1943) was a remarkable woman and led a remarkable life and I am astonished that she is so little known. “Journalist, publicist, social reformer, mother, rainmaker, diplomat, political operative, and patron of women, the arts and sciences” as one description puts it. She knew just about everyone who mattered in the US and indeed many influential people all over the world. She travelled extensively and never missed an opportunity to meet the movers and shakers of the country she was in. She worked tirelessly for women, understanding that they could influence the world from behind the scenes just as effectively as the men out on the world stage. Constant ill-health plagued her throughout her life but she was indefatigable in her campaigning for the causes she believed in. She advised Presidents from Hoover to FDR, and was enormously influential in the career of Marie Curie, raising vast sums of money for her work. This meticulously and thorough biography will restore Missy to her rightful place in social history. In view of the importance of the book, it is a shame a more watchful editor didn’t pick up on some of the stylistic infelicities. The one that really jarred with me was the constant use of the word “optics”, which the author seems to use to mean “image” or the “look of things”. I have never seen this used anywhere else, and to call Missy “a creator of optics” is very clumsy. Then to call Marie Curie just Curie, as she does throughout, also jarred, especially as she then calls Margot Asquith “Countess Margot Asquith”, which isn’t the usual way to refer to her (although she was indeed a Countess). Inconsistent to say the least. And Marie Curie’s daughter Eve has an accent on the first E all the way through, which is simply wrong. Minor quibbles perhaps but for me they detracted from the overall merit of the book. As did the fact that the author overstates her case far too often, almost turning a biography into a hagiography. No need to keep telling us what a wonderful woman Missy was – the reader will come to this conclusion independently. Nevertheless, quibbles apart, I really enjoyed this account of a woman I’d never heard of and I was very pleased to make her acquaintance.

[Laura Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think everyone should give this book a try. I'd never heard of Meloney before this but I found it quite interesting and very well-written. I got encouraged to try to work past my own ailments, reading about how Meloney pushed past hers to do so much in her life.

[Nancy Loe · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a shame this influential and accomplished woman is so little known today.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I hadn't heard about Missy Meloney before reading "American Queenmaker" and I'm sad to think that such an impressive woman has been largely forgotten.

This book is an easy to read biography about a fascinating woman who met all the famous men and women of her time, helping them and their careers, while remaining in the shadows herself. It was truly fascinating to read and I'm in awe of all the things this woman achieved in her lifetime.

The only thing I didn't like was that the author occasionally pushed her own views a little to hard for my liking, but it didn't really detract from my enjoyment of reading more about Missy Meloney.

[Jean · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is astounding to me that I had never heard of Missy Meloney! I am so appreciative that Julie DesJardins took the time to write this book. At times it was difficult to read I think because of the context in which Missy’s story unfolded, and perhaps the fabulous story of her career. But I am thrilled I kept at it to understand now the scope and breadth of her resolve and achievements. I thought the last line in the acknowledgements said it all “...to remind women of their ability to shift the tides.”

[Laura Chase · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed learning about a "behind" the scenes woman who was very instamental in getting things done. I really enjoyed how she worked with the presidents both Democratic or Republican and their wives to get things accomplished for the American people. Her work with internationally known people especially Madame Currie was just phenomenal.